Follow Us on Twitter

www.t75.org

Heath Ledger: Autopsy is inconclusive

Heath Ledger

Story by Jack Foley

AN autopsy on the body of late actor Heath Ledger has proved inconclusive, it has been revealed.

A spokeswoman for New York’s medical examiner said it will now take about 10 days to determine the cause of death.

“We have to do additional testing which will include toxicology and tissue testing,” she added.

The body of the 28-year-old Australian star was discovered in a Manhattan apartment on Tuesday (January 22, 2008), prompting widespread speculation about the cause of death.

Police said they found prescription pills by Ledger’s body but confirmed they have found no illegal drugs.

Early reports suggested that the Oscar nominated star of Brokeback Mountain may have committed suicide. Claims suggest he had become depressed.

But his family, speaking from their home in Perth, Australia, described news of their son’s death as a “tragic accident”.

Meanwhile, tributes have continued to be paid by fans – who have left floral tributes outside his SoHo apartment – and from members of the creative community that Ledger was a part of.

His Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee described working with Ledger as “one of the purest joys of my life”.

“He brought to the role of Ennis more than any of us could have imagined – a thirst for life, for love, and for truth, and a vulnerability that made everyone who knew him love him. His death is heartbreaking.”

And US President George W Bush decided to postpone an event aimed at promoting an advertising campaign on preventing prescription drug abuse.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino explained: “We felt it would be better not to hold the event today given the tragedy of yesterday’s passing of the beloved actor. We did not want anyone to think we were trying to link into that story in any way.”